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“Dear Pat and family,
I am so sorry to learn of the passing of your husband and dad. I know how hard the past few months have been on all of...Read More »
”
1 of 8 | Posted by: Diane Belcher - chesterfield twp, MI

“My sympathies go out to Pat and Family, I know that you two did not get to spend much time here at the Park after you bought, but I know the time you...Read More »
”
2 of 8 | Posted by: Becky DeSpirt - Palm Harbor, FL

“Dearest Pat & Family:We are so sorry and so sad to hear of Don's passing. Don's obituary truly describes who and what Don was all about. We have...Read More »
”
4 of 8 | Posted by: Jim & Loretta Hudson - FL

“Lots of love to Tony's family from Kim's family in Ludington. We know Don will be dearly missed.
”
5 of 8 | Posted by: Patti Klevorn - Ludington, MI

“Dear Pat and Family~
We are sorry and sad to get this news! What a friend Don has been to us.
Don helped me through each and everyday while George...Read More »
”
6 of 8 | Posted by: MaryJo & George Poulson - Erie, PA

“So sorry to hear of Don's passing! Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you! Love you all!
”
7 of 8 | Posted by: Doris and Bob Brewer - Germantown, TN

“Sine Don lived in Michigan and we live in Tennessee, we did not see Don very much. My husband had always told me how handsome Don was. We saw his...Read More »
”
8 of 8 | Posted by: Roy and Mary Sue Scobey - TN

While the country was in the midst of a second world war, Joe Dimaggio was beginning his first of a fifty-six game hitting streak and the silver screen was being lit up by Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire, in a small but comfortable home in Jackson, Tennessee on October 17, 1941, Don Ferrell Stewart was entering into the world. After several years in Medina, Tennessee, at the age of ten, Don and mother would relocate to Muskegon, Michigan where his step-father lived at the time. It took young Don a while to adjust to his new surroundings in the north with its bitter cold winters that seemed to last forever. But Don, never one to complain, was a good student and a typical young man of his era.

During his junior year at the age of seventeen, Don, like many young men during this time, decided that the Military offered the best opportunities for advancement and he bravely enlisted into the United States Army. After his initial training, Don began his service on January 13, 1959. He was stationed in Fort Benjamin in Harrison, Indiana and later at the Selfridge Air Force base in Harrison Township, Michigan. Don served diligently as a Private gradually moving up through the ranks and specializing in radar repair. He would complete several military courses all of which were applied to his general studies and thus satisfied the requirements needed for his high school diploma.

After three years, one month and twenty-nine days in the Army, Don was earned an honorable discharge on March 12, 1962 ranking as a Specialist 5 and was highly decorated. He was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, the Marksmanship Badge for his use of a carbine, the Sharpshooter Badge also for his use of a carbine, and the Marksmanship Badge again for ... READ MORE →

While the country was in the midst of a second world war, Joe Dimaggio was beginning his first of a fifty-six game hitting streak and the silver screen was being lit up by Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire, in a small but comfortable home in Jackson, Tennessee on October 17, 1941, Don Ferrell Stewart was entering into the world. After several years in Medina, Tennessee, at the age of ten, Don and mother would relocate to Muskegon, Michigan where his step-father lived at the time. It took young Don a while to adjust to his new surroundings in the north with its bitter cold winters that seemed to last forever. But Don, never one to complain, was a good student and a typical young man of his era.

During his junior year at the age of seventeen, Don, like many young men during this time, decided that the Military offered the best opportunities for advancement and he bravely enlisted into the United States Army. After his initial training, Don began his service on January 13, 1959. He was stationed in Fort Benjamin in Harrison, Indiana and later at the Selfridge Air Force base in Harrison Township, Michigan. Don served diligently as a Private gradually moving up through the ranks and specializing in radar repair. He would complete several military courses all of which were applied to his general studies and thus satisfied the requirements needed for his high school diploma.

After three years, one month and twenty-nine days in the Army, Don was earned an honorable discharge on March 12, 1962 ranking as a Specialist 5 and was highly decorated. He was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, the Marksmanship Badge for his use of a carbine, the Sharpshooter Badge also for his use of a carbine, and the Marksmanship Badge again for his use with a rifle.

During his time at Selfridge, Don would be introduced by his dear friend Steve (who later became his brother-in-law), to a very strikingly beautiful young lady named Patricia. She was taken with Don's kind, loving ways, dashing good looks and even his rather one-sided sense of humor (he could make a wisecrack about anyone, but don't you dare make one about him!). The two would date for several years and after his honorable discharge, were wed on September 8, 1962 at St. Matthew's Church in Detroit, Michigan.

Don and Patricia would make their first home in Muskegon. Here Don took a variety of jobs to make ends meet (as a vacuum salesman for a period of time, most notably), but whatever his employment called for he always gave 110%. He would later relocate with his now growing family to Detroit where he began his twenty-four year tenure with TRW Automotive. It didn't take Don's employers long to notice his dedication, thoroughness and the great skill he possessed. He moved up the corporate ladder and earned the title of Supervisor in the metal heat treating department of the company. After his retirement from TRW, Don would be employed by Ford Motor Company also as a Supervisor retiring in 2006 due to health reasons.

As a family man, Don taught his children by example. Though his late shifts and multiple over-time hours kept him away from home often, this did not make him any less devoted to his family and they could not have asked for a better provider. Don carefully saved every penny he earned and avoided frivolous spending at all costs. He was content knowing his family's needs were met and that they always had the best.

As Don became older, he finally was afforded more opportunities to enjoy the fruits of his labor. He took great pleasure being surrounded by his loving family; from hunting and fishing with his brother, traveling to Florida with Pat and spending time with his grandchildren at his beautiful lake home that he built himself, he could not have been happier than just enjoying life's simple pleasures. He was a giving neighbor; if there was anything that needed fixing, mending, or building, everyone around knew that Don was the man to go to. He aided in the construction of his children's homes, was an expert landscaper and in general a "jack of all trades."

But Don's giving spirit was not only made evident in his neighborhood, but to the broader community as well. As he fought through three long and painful bouts of cancer, Don found it necessary to make himself a willing case study for a multitude of experimental treatments. He was proud to know that the findings from the studies that were made during his illness could potential save the lives of countless people down the road. Don was never ashamed of his cancer diagnoses and never tried to hide it from anyone. He was more than willing to tell other people about it, giving them explicit information on what symptoms to expect, which doctors to see and the treatments that had worked for him. There are not too many people as special as Don Stewart was.

After a long battle against cancer, Don Ferrell Stewart passed away surrounded by his loving family on the morning of May 24, 2014. As tough as Don could be, he was in so many ways a very compassionate, loving soul. He said what was on his mind and always told you the truth even if it wasn't what you wanted to hear. He was fiercely independent and never wanted to be a burden on anyone. But at this time, it is only an honor and a privilege for all who knew Don to pause, reflect and celebrate the life that this great man lived and let the world know how grateful we are for everything Don was and always will be to us.

Burial

Resurrection Cemetery, 18201 Clinton River Road, Clinton Township, MI 48038Burial for Don Ferrell Stewarthttp://www.tributes.com/obituary/show/Don-Ferrell-Stewart-101385665#serviceshttp://www.tributes.com/obituary/get_ics/101385665?service=2986931&tr=We will ride in procession to a designated chapel where Military Honors will take place.

We will ride in procession to a designated chapel where Military Honors will take place.

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Memories & Candles

I am so sorry to learn of the passing of your husband and dad. I know how hard the past few months have been on all of you, including Don. A great hole has been created in your hearts. Just remember this...LOVE CREATES A MEMORY NO ONE CAN ERASE. May each day get a little easier and these memories make you smile. I will keep you all in my prayers.

Posted by: Diane Belcher - chesterfield twp, MI - friend Jun 20, 2014

My sympathies go out to Pat and Family, I know that you two did not get to spend much time here at the Park after you bought, but I know the time you did get to spend in Florida, Don enjoyed. Hope that you will come down Pat, next winter season.

Becky

Posted by: Becky DeSpirt - Palm Harbor, FL May 29, 2014

To Pat and family We were sorry to hear about Don's lengthy battle with cancer and his passing away. Please accept our heartfelt sympathy
Sue and Jack Rego Crystal Bay Travel Park

Posted by: Sue and Jack Rego - palm harbor, FL May 28, 2014

Dearest Pat & Family:

We are so sorry and so sad to hear of Don's passing. Don's obituary truly describes who and what Don was all about. We have missed Don and Pat so much at Crystal Bay. Loretta & I feel blessed to have known Don and we will miss him. Love, Hugs, & Prayers -- Jim & Loretta Hudson

Dear Pat and Family~
We are sorry and sad to get this news! What a friend Don has been to us.
Don helped me through each and everyday while George was in such bad shape in the Pittsburgh hospital with his daily phone calls, they meant so much. This is just such sad news, but we do have Fun memories while in Florida, what a guy!
Our love and thoughts are with you and you will be in our prayers.
MaryJo & George

Posted by: MaryJo & George Poulson - Erie, PA - Friend May 27, 2014

So sorry to hear of Don's passing! Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you! Love you all!

Sine Don lived in Michigan and we live in Tennessee, we did not see Don very much. My husband had always told me how handsome Don was. We saw his mom, Mary Sue more often when she would come to visit her sister. One thing I remember Roy told me was that his favorite aunt was named Mary Sue which is my name. I have a twin sister named Linda and I had told Roy that I wished my name

... more

Sine Don lived in Michigan and we live in Tennessee, we did not see Don very much. My husband had always told me how handsome Don was. We saw his mom, Mary Sue more often when she would come to visit her sister. One thing I remember Roy told me was that his favorite aunt was named Mary Sue which is my name. I have a twin sister named Linda and I had told Roy that I wished my name was Linda. After he told me that about his aunt, I decided to like my name more. We are sorry for your loss. I know he will be greatly missed. We love all of you and are praying for you. May God's comfort surround you.

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